Happy News

 

 

Are you still there? Yes and no.

15 December 2025

Happy.radio as you could listen to it for the past two years, based in the Netherlands, with servers in the Netherlands and focused on the Netherlands, no longer exists. No more programmes presented in Dutch, no more news broadcasts about traffic jams on the A12 or a cow on the road near Staphorst. That Happy ceased to exist on 12-12-25 at 12:12.

What you hear now via the players, for example via the website or on your Sonos system, is the new HAPPY. You can also find it on Laut.FM under the name HAPPY. The new HAPPY is internationally based and internationally focused. The concession we had to make is tolerating ads that our partner (awkwardly) mixes between (and over) the tracks and giving up typically Dutch elements. For example, you will also hear fewer Dutch-language bands, because Italians and Smörrebrøders have somewhat less affinity with them.

Some listeners find the silence of the DJs a loss, others a blessing. We can now be played in shops and factory halls or in the dentist's waiting room. People there are less interested in a game by Bart Bonzo or a strong offshore radio story by Paul van der Mark. Because the world is now our habitat, growth might be easier. We're going to try!

 

 

 

Happy Transformation

1 December 2025

On 12-12, at 12:12, we turn two years old.

These have been exciting years in which we tried all sorts of things to grow despite enormous competition and some setbacks.
New colleagues came, others left. The close bond of the "core team" saw happy.radio weather all storms.

But we haven't grown. We make great radio for very few listeners. The bar wasn't even set that high, but we see that we only occasionally reach a hundred streams. That's a lot of effort with little return. Making radio also costs increasingly more money, and when impact is lacking, willingness to sponsor decreases. You can guess where this is heading: we are stopping happy.radio as we do it now. We will do so on 12-12, at 12:12.

So can't you hear us anywhere? Yes, you certainly can.

Happy Productions
We have seen that many stations have "content hunger". They are looking for fun DJs and programmes. We are responding to that, because we have them! We are transforming into a radio production "company". We will make programmes to be heard on other stations and we will supply "features". Colleagues can use these features in their own programmes. We already have some ready and still in 2025 we will approach fellow stations with a proposal.

Happy
Our non-stop programming during the evening hours is surprisingly widely appreciated. Apparently, the format we use then appeals to many listeners. We also think it is distinctive - we haven't heard anything like it on any of the fellow stations. We don't want to lose that. We are in discussions with a partner to continue that strong format without requiring as much money as happy.radio currently costs. Maybe we'll make it by January 1st?

If it succeeds, Happy.radio will transform into a non-stop music station with a unique format. The formula "remembering and surprising" remains, but you will hear much more album music that is a combination of those two elements. Songs you rarely hear, yet are recognisable.

Elsewhere
Some contributors will make radio directly (i.e., not via Happy Productions) at other stations; some colleagues were already doing that. You may have heard them announce it. Hybrid is also possible: participating in Happy Productions and hosting a radio programme somewhere else.

Thank you!
We have made happy.radio for two years with great passion and pleasure (but sometimes also a bit of stress). As a hobby, but also to provide listening pleasure to others. Many thanks go to everyone who supported us, as a DJ, sponsor, or as a silent force behind the scenes - think of the technical setup, logo and branding, voice-overs, promotional campaigns. And of course, thanks to the listeners; it was great that we could make a fun station for you.